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 Post subject: Northern Lights Tonight!
PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:26 am 
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Apparently, they should be visible in the GTA area tonight, so we should take advantage of this rare opportunity!

Has anyone ever done these types of shots before with the northern lights? Any specific techniques? I'm assuming tripod + long exposure should do, right?


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:20 pm 
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Don't get your hopes up too much. There may be cloud cover so it may not be visible. But still a great opportunity.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:45 pm 
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High Iso ... If you do long exposures youll get streaks


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:11 pm 
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Forecast for me says cloudy periods.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:12 pm 
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If I am in markham. where is the best place to view this event?


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:12 pm 
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just keep your fingers crossed! definitely got mine crossed that there'll be some clear skies tonight.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:26 pm 
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anyone going for this tonight??? count me in.

i m in markham


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:37 pm 
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Thinking about taking a nap now and heading north for a late night drive... maybe up to the Barrens...


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:44 pm 
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see you all at the 'barrens!


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:13 pm 
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that is way beyond far lol. any other suggestions of a good place around markham area?


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:13 pm 
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Sushant wrote:
see you all at the 'barrens!


See you all there, I'll be the one in the leprechaun hat.


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 Post subject: Aurora Party
PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:37 pm 
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The David Dunlap Observatory at Richmond Hill is "hosting" an Aurora party. From their website http://www.theddo.ca/

Quote:
We're in for a treat tonight if the skies clear. An unusual amount of activity on the sun is expected to trigger a display of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) rarely seen this far south. We're watching the skies and if the clouds part we hope you'll join us tonight at the DDO for an Aurora Party. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, binoculars if you have them and bug repellent (because it is Ontario, after all) and come out to the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill. We'll have astronomers and telescopes on hand so you won't just see the show, you'll understand why it's happening. We'll be open any time after 9:00 p.m.

Check back here after 6:00 p.m. tonight and we'll let you know how the forecast looks. In the meantime, one of our solar experts, Dr. Ralph Chou, offers this explanation for the astronomical excitement.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:53 pm 
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ohhh I like the sounds of a party! here's to hoping I get a ride up there.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:01 pm 
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is it free to go into the observatory? if so i'll make my way up there from downtown. got space for 3 if anyone wants to hitch a ride


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:04 pm 
Buddy and I might head up to Vivian Road just outside of Newmarket later tonight.

I'm still trying to find out what the forecast will be tonight (not the clouds)... not sure if tonight will have something or tomorrow...

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
http://spaceweather.com/


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:46 pm 
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Quote:
The observatory grounds will be open to the public for the stellar event.


was what I got from the Toronto Star about the observatory.

So I'm assuming it's free. Whoo getting a ride now. Still not entirely sure where I'll be heading. But fingers are still crossed for an amazing night.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:57 pm 
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The Digital Photography School Lesson on Aurora Borealis Photography


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:05 pm 
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is there a predicted time? or is the idea to be up all night waiting?


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:06 pm 
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After midnight, and yes you will be waiting. Patience is required for this stuff.


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 Post subject: DDO Update
PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:11 pm 
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Quote:
The skies aren't perfectly clear, but we're optimists! The gates will be open after 9:00 p.m.

We're in for a treat tonight if the skies are reasonably clear. An unusual amount of activity on the sun is expected to trigger a display of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) rarely seen this far south. We hope you'll join us tonight at the DDO for an Aurora Party. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, binoculars if you have them and bug repellent (because it is Ontario, after all) and come out to the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill. We'll have astronomers and telescopes on hand so you won't just see the show, you'll understand why it's happening. We'll be open any time after 9:00 p.m., however, it's unlikely that there will be much to see before 10:00 p.m.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 7:20 pm 
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i wonder how busy it will be if i show up late. i don't want to sit around for hours waiting (remembering the last meteor shower in the cold)


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:19 pm 
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Anyone remaining downtown for this? Can you recommend any better location for observation for those staying in the city tonight?


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:21 pm 
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Leslie Spit


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:25 pm 
Mr.Walczak wrote:
Leslie Spit


You need to go north of the city to get away from the light or at least put it behind you as you look north.

It's not going to be cold tonight also, it'll be around 23C.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:25 pm 
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@ Tyler: I doubt it's open...


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:34 pm 
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Bike lol try looking over the lake maybe? Only place I can think in the city


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:21 pm 
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Good luck everyone. Hope to see some great shots posted tomorrow! (Fingers crossed for good weather and a kick a$$ light show)


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:30 pm 
Hoping the same. All I know, Kp >= 5 equals good :)

<img src="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/Kp.gif">


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:35 pm 
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can you explain that in english


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:46 pm 
All I know is this:

"Kp-indices of 5 or greater indicate storm-level geomagnetic activity."

When I see "storm" that must be a good thing LOL


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